Overview
First trip to Beijing? This private tour is a must for Great Wall exploration—and it’s a rare crowd-free gem! Spend your daytime wandering Jinshanling Great Wall, known for its well-preserved ancient watchtowers and unobstructed mountain vistas—no pushing through crowds, just peaceful immersion in history and scenery. As night falls, head to Simatai Great Wall (one of the few sections open after dark) and nearby Gubei Water Town: watch the town’s lantern-lit lanes glow, then take a cable car to marvel at Simatai’s twinkling night views—romantic, quiet, and utterly breathtaking. Pick your preferred departure time for a worry-free experience: exclusive tour guide, entrance tickets, Simatai cable car ride, local-style lunch, private vehicle, plus hotel pickup and drop-off—we’ve got your perfect day fully covered!
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Chinese lunch or dinner you can choose one of them
- Cable car round trip at Simatai Great Wall
- English Speaking tour guide
- Private air conditioned vehicle
- Transport by private vehicle
- Entrance Fee
What's Not Included
- Cable car on the Jinshanling Great Wall
- Gratuities
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
Your friendly tour guide will meet you right in your hotel lobby at your prearranged time, then whisk you directly to Jinshanling Great Wall—no hassle, just a smooth start. The roughly 2-hour drive flies by: your guide will share fascinating Great Wall history and stories along the way, while you soak in the idyllic countryside views outside the window. Once you arrive, you’ll step into Jinshanling Great Wall—a crowd-free treasure&one of the best-preserved Great Wall sections, always captivating hikers. Stretching east to Simatai and west to Gubeikou, this section dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1389) and was later rebuilt under General Qi Jiguang—a living piece of history. With over 100 ancient enemy towers dotting its length, every step tells a story: your guide will hike with you, share these tales, help snap photos, or even keep an eye on the kids. You’ll have 2-3 hours to savor this peaceful, scenic spot—no pushing through crowds, just you and the Great Wall’s timeless charm
Stop 2
After a satisfying dinner, you’ll head straight to Gubei Water Town—just a 30-minute drive away, so the relaxation keeps flowing. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll start a leisurely walking tour to uncover the town’s unique charms: modeled after the iconic Wuzhen Water Town of southern China, Gubei Water Town is divided into 6 distinct areas, including the Old Barracks Area, Minguo Street Area, and Water Street Area. As you wander, you’ll stumble upon charming boutiques, mouthwatering local eateries, and distinctive hotels—each corner holding a little surprise to make your evening unforgettable.
Stop 3
Afterwards, you’ll take a cable car up to the top of Simatai Great Wall—an effortless ride to one of the most magical night views. If you’d love to catch the sunset over Simatai, your guide will thoughtfully adjust the itinerary timing to ensure you don’t miss this stunning moment. Here, few well-preserved watchtowers are open to visitors after dark: you’ll get free time to wander as warm lanterns light up the Great Wall’s path, casting a soft glow over the ancient stones. From the top, you can also overlook the entire Gubei Water Town below, its lights twinkling like stars—truly a view you’ll remember forever. When the night’s magic comes to an end, we’ll drive you back to your centrally located Beijing hotel, wrapping up this fantastic day of history, scenery, and unforgettable moments.
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- The whole-day tour will take approximately 10 to 12 hours. Please ensure you are in good physical condition, or have a good rest in advance to keep up with the schedule.
- This tour departs in the afternoon/early noon, specially arranged for you to enjoy the stunning night view of Gubei Water Town and the breathtaking sunset at Simatai Great Wall. We provide either a lunch or a dinner for the tour, and you can choose one of the two meal options as you like.
- Jinshanling Great Wall features two classic hiking trails for exploration. A certain level of physical stamina is required for the hiking part.